Mark your calendars for the first annual Million Dollar Bike Ride on Saturday, May 3, 2014, to raise money for rare disease research, organized by the Penn Center for Orphan Disease Research and Therapy and Rare Disease Cycling. The event is the only cycling fundraiser to start and end in the city of Philadelphia, with the start/finish line at Highline Park (31st and Chestnut) on Penn’s campus. There are three route options: 11, 35 and 73 miles. The ride starts at 9 a.m. Refreshments and entertainment are at the start/finish line and fun for the entire family. All participants will receive free gear, including a Million Dollar Bike Ride jersey. Individual cyclists can register and raise money for their specific orphan/rare disease foundation. Examples of teams already formed include Bike to End Duchenne, Pitt Hopkins Pedalers, Spin Factor for Hemophilia, Team FARA, Team ALD, Team Cure ML4, LAM Foundation and Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (HoFH).

Proceeds will help further research by the Penn Center for Orphan Disease Research and Therapy. For more information, call (215) 573-9020 or email wilsonjm@mail.med.upenn.edu